Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka will miss the Christmas games against Birmingham and Fulham through injury.

Anelka missed Sunday's draw with West Ham with a calf problem and the Frenchman faces a longer spell on the sidelines.

It was hoped the injury was not too serious, but the France international will now miss the trip to Birmingham on Boxing Day as well as the West London derby with Fulham on December 28.

Chelsea are hoping Anelka will recover in time for the FA Cup clash with Watford on January 3rd as they face up to the prospect of being without Didier Drogba for the whole of January because of the African Cup of Nations.